The Prize-Giving Tradition

One of the greatest traditions in NZ is the "Prize-Giving".  It is done at the end of every school year, sports season or activity, and it is similar to a year end banquet or bbq in the States.  But the fact that Prizegiving is so sacred, similar in nature across activities, and is done without fail, makes it something special to note and blog about.

Lindsay's school Prizegiving was performed in mid-December, coinciding with the official last day of school for the year (NZ schools, being in the summer hemisphere, run from February to December).

The kids were feted with awards for excellence in areas of study, and there were numerous speeches given by teachers, administrators and Board members of the school.

And of course the graduating students performed.  Here is a video of her school's haka powhiri, as performed very well and very loudly by the graduating sixth years.  (I had to lower the resolution of the video in order to upload it, but hopefully it still looks as AWESOME on video as it was live!) Lindsay is not in this video since she was fifth year, but she is already prepping to help with next years!

What an awesome day for the kids!  Go Carlton School!